theconnectionworkshop

EMP

2007-07-02T10:06:00.001-07:00

I don't know if folks even still read the blog, but this past weekend, I was in Seattle and went to the Experience Music Project. There's this great Jimi Hendrix exhibition, but on the entrance, there was this great quote I wanted to share:

I feel guilty when people say I'm the greatest on the scene. What's good or bad doesn't matter to me; what does matter is feeling and not feeling. If only people would take more of a true view and think in terms of feelings. Your name doesn't mean a damn, it's your talents and feelings that matter. You've got to know much more than just the technicalities of notes; you've got to know what goes between the notes.
- Jimi Hendrix

more obscure

2007-06-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

oh my goodness. i am sooo shy to post my images along side all of you crazy talented and uber inspiring people!!! ughhh....it's that 'unhealthy' 'fear' thing again! ;cP

A few pics from Johnson City

2007-06-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

I just put these two kind of obscure shots together really quickly:

Random thoughts and a teaser...

2007-06-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

I actually finished "Let My People Go Surfing"... and now I'm working through "The Tipping Point" right now. "Let My People Go Surfing" has had me talking about crazy ideas and really honing "why I am in this business" for the past week or so.

I was reading Seth Godin's blog, and this was medicine to my soul regarding logos and branding:

"A great logo doesn't mean anything until the brand makes it worth something."
- Seth Godin's Blog

How much time and resources do I spend trying to design a great logo versus the time I put into developing my style and running my businesses in a way that feeds my soul?

This lead me to my teaser: I working on an engagement session where I am post-processing everything, which I plan to share with you all soon. I have been wanting to do this for some time because my final product is always tons more satisfying to me than the "proof". Anyway, I have a love connection with my work again. I am really excited to deliver this collection (once it is finished) to my clients, and I know that my business model will just have to follow, instead of letting my business model dictate how far I allow myself to take my work.

still stoked!

2007-06-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of my roomie, Jodi.

I made a small slideshow of some other images ... check it out here:

http://www.photomementos.com/connection/

jan

the happy bunch

2007-06-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

the start of something...

2007-06-12T21:12:00.000-07:00

more to come...

some pics : )

2007-06-12T14:04:00.001-07:00

let's see yours!!!

much love,,,

jesh ; )

Book list

2007-06-12T13:18:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone!

First I want to thank all of you for making the workshop such a great experience. It was really a treat to meet all of you and I left the workshop feeling very inspired by your energy. Please post your photos, thoughts, and anything else you'd like to share.

As promised, here is a list of my favorite books. Right now I am reading "The Google Story." Here are a few sentences from this book I'd like to share:

"Google is a place where technologists think first of ways to solve problems; only later, if ever, do they worry about how to 'monetize' them. Dedicated teams of engineers are encouraged to dream up entireley new ideas..."

"Google does not seek to make as much money as it could in the short run."

"Individual employees are expected to allot 20 percent of their time to exploring whatever ideas interest them most."

I would like to point out that this company, which puts making a good product ahead of short term profits, has shot up to a net worth of $154 billion in the last few years. That's because they are first and foremost trying to create a great product that helps people. Also, google has never advertized-- their whole reputation has spread through their fans.

And now, on to the book list:

1. The E-Myth revisted by Michael Gerber: This has been the single most important book in helping me learn how to run an efficient business. I learned how to automate and delegate the more mundane tasks, so I can focus on creativity and client relations.

2. Never Check E-mail in the Morning by Julie Morgenstern: Helped me understand time management, which is crucial to what the E-Myth talks about, too.

3. Anything by Seth Godin, but especially Small is the New Big and Purple Cow marketing. Seth is a marketing guru, and his books are very easy to read. I also regularly read Seth's blog at http://sethgodin.typepad.com/

4. Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard: This book is about going beyond just making a profit, and thinking about the impact your business has on the world. It is about helping the planet, philanthropy, and treating both employees and customers very well.

5. The following books are less directly related to our businesses, but did help me think about my business differently, and are a great read anyhow: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell, and Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner.

Happy reading!

Anna

PS Feel free to recommend more books, too!

tennessee!!!

2007-06-12T13:06:00.001-07:00

thank you all for an *amazing* three days. it was completely wonderful meeting and getting to know each one of you : )

please post your images and share your thoughts! we'd love to hear from you : )

much love,,,

jesh ; )